Drew Carey, ‘DWTS’ Contestant: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

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Drew Carey is basically a household name who’s done everything from show hosting to stand-up comedy. Read on to hear about Carey’s latest television endeavor, his rocky upbringing, Carey’s time as a Marine, and more.

1. Cheryl Burke Is Carey’s Partner on Dancing With the Stars

As a new member of the DWTS series, Drew Carey has been paired with the legendary Cheryl Burke. Previously, Burke won the mirrorball trophy with Drew Lachey … Do you think she’ll have the same luck with this Drew?

2. His Father Died of a Brain Tumor When He Was Very Young

Drew Carey didn’t have the perfect childhood … His father died of a brain tumor when he was eight years old. As Carey tried to move on with his life, he graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School, where he played the cornet and trumpet in the marching band. Then, he moved on to college, but that didn’t prove to be the best for him.

3. Carey Was Actually Expelled Twice from College

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Drew Carey is a Kent State University alum and apparently, he was expelled twice for bad grades, according to his Wikipedia page.

4. For Several Years, Carey Was Host of Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Drew Carey acted as the show host for Whose Line Is It Anyway? for many years. He would announce the tasks, direct the games, and would always include himself in the final game of the show. Over the years, he became quite close with his cast-mates. In 1998, fellow Whose Line-r Ryan Stiles even acted as the roast-master at Carey’s roast from the New York Friars Club.

Today, the show has returned to television with a new host, Aisha Tyler, though the old cast-mates have returned – Wayne Brady, Ryan Stiles, and Colin Mockery.

5. Now, Carey Hosts The Price Is Right

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When Bob Barker stepped down as the host of The Price Is Right, Drew Carey stepped up to the plate. This wasn’t Carey’s first time as a game show host, as he previously had hosted a show called Power of 10. Upon accepting the role as host of The Price Is Right, Carey said:

You can’t replace Bob Barker. I don’t compare myself to anybody… It’s only about what you’re doing and supposed to do, and I feel like I’m supposed to be doing this.

Carey did try to keep Barker’s traditions on the show and keep the integrity of the program, but he added his own touches as well. Wikipedia wrote:

However, Carey kept the old closing line about spaying and neutering the pets that originated with Barker, although his version uses slightly different wording. During Carey’s second year as host, he began to write some of the sketches used during the Showcase, which sometimes features guest appearances by stars of other CBS programs. In the April Fools’ Day 2013 episode, Carey and announcer George Gray switched places with the models, letting the two men be the models for the episode.

Click the “Next Page” button to read about Carey’s time in the Marine Corps, the soccer team he owns, all the weight he lost, and his old fraternity days.

6. He Has Lost a Ton of Weight

Drew Carey is down 80 pounds, but wants to lose just another 10 pounds and his dance partner Cheryl Burke is actually a little concerned. Have a look at the video footage on Drew Carey’s weight issues above and you can view a before and after in the below tweet.

7. Drew Carey Is a Minority Owner of a Major League Soccer Team

On an interesting note, Drew Carey actually owns a soccer team and has had a role in several sports genres. Wikipedia writes:

He is interested in a variety of sports, has worked as a photographer at U.S. National Team soccer games, is a minority owner of the Major League Soccer team Seattle Sounders FC and a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.

8. Carey Used to Have His Own Sitcom

Carey used to have his own sitcom called The Drew Carey Show, which featured one of the most iconic characters on TV – Mimi. The Drew Carey Show was based on a fictional version of Carey, as he “took on the stresses of life and work with his group of childhood friends.”

9. Drew Carey Actually Served in the Marine Corps.

After Carey left college, he enlisted himself into the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1980. He then served his country for six years. In 1982, Carey relocated to Las Vegas for a few months and had odd jobs before getting into stand-up comedy. For a brief time, Carey worked as a bank teller and a waiter at Denny’s.

His stand-up career went quite well and he eventually became the Master of Ceremonies at the Cleveland Comedy Club. But, what gave him his big break was actually the show Star Search, where several of today’s big stars got their first break in the entertainment industry.

10. Delta Tau Delta Was Carey’s Fraternity

Before Carey finally left Kent State University, he became a member of the school’s fraternity Delta Tau Delta. As a KSU alum, I remember hearing stories of Carey showing up with fellow cast-mate Ryan Stiles to visit, bringing beer and refreshments to share. His photo still hangs in the house in the fraternity’s composite photo.